Snap-on current sensor design

Abstract

A snap-on assembly includes a housing that holds an integrated circuit with a sensor. A connector supplies power to the integrated circuit and transmits a signal from the integrated circuit to an electronic circuit. An insert fits into an opening of the housing and secures a conductor in the housing without a mechanical fastener. The sensor measures a magnetic field resulting from a current traveling through the conductor.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A snap-on assembly comprising:
 a housing holding a first integrated circuit (IC), the first IC comprising a first sensor; 
 a connector to supply power to the first IC and to transmit a signal from the first IC to an electronic circuit; 
 a first insert to fit into an opening of the housing, the first insert including a first cylindrical receptacle for receiving a conductor on a first side thereof; and 
 a second insert to fit into the opening of the housing, the second insert including a second cylindrical receptacle for receiving the conductor on a second side thereof opposite the first side, 
 wherein the second insert is adapted to be placed in the opening of the housing, followed by the conductor, followed by the first insert, 
 wherein the first insert and the second insert secure the conductor in the housing without a mechanical fastener, and 
 wherein the first sensor measures a magnetic field resulting from a current traveling through the conductor. 
 
     
     
       2. The snap-on assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the conductor is a cable. 
     
     
       3. The snap-on assembly of  claim 1 , each of the first insert and the second insert further comprising:
 a plurality of ribs, 
 wherein the plurality of ribs fit against the conductor once secured in the housing. 
 
     
     
       4. The snap-on assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the first insert and the second insert prevent rotational movement of the conductor. 
     
     
       5. The snap-on assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the first insert and the second insert prevent axial movement of the conductor. 
     
     
       6. The snap-on assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first insert and the second insert are made of a non-conductive plastic. 
     
     
       7. The snap-on assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second IC, the second IC comprising a second sensor, 
 wherein the first IC and the second IC generate compensated signals. 
 
     
     
       8. The snap-on assembly of  claim 7 , the housing further comprising:
 a first side; 
 a second side; and 
 a third side, 
 wherein the first side is coupled to the second side, 
 wherein the first side is perpendicular to the second side, 
 wherein the second side is coupled to the third side, 
 wherein the second side is perpendicular to the third side, and 
 wherein the first side is parallel to the third side. 
 
     
     
       9. The snap-on assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first IC is disposed on the first side and the second IC is disposed on the third side. 
     
     
       10. The snap-on assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first IC and the second IC are disposed on the second side. 
     
     
       11. A snap-on assembly comprising:
 a housing holding a first integrated circuit (IC), the first IC comprising a first sensor, wherein the first sensor measures a magnetic field resulting from a current traveling through a conductor; 
 a first insert to fit into an opening of the housing, the first insert further comprising:
 a first cylindrical receptacle for receiving the conductor on a first side thereof; 
 a first extension to be disposed on a first side of the housing, the first extension comprising a first groove; and 
 a second extension to be disposed on a second side of the housing, the second side being opposite the first side, wherein the first side is parallel to the second side, the second extension comprising a second groove; 
 a first wire tie to be looped around the first extension at the first groove and tightened; and 
 a second wire tie to be looped around the second extension at the second groove and tightened; and 
 
 a second insert to fit into the opening of the housing, the second insert further comprising:
 a second cylindrical receptacle for receiving the conductor on a second side thereof opposite the first side, 
 
 wherein the second insert is adapted to be placed in the opening of the housing, followed by the conductor, followed by the first insert, 
 wherein the first insert and the second insert secure the conductor in the housing without a mechanical fastener, and 
 wherein the conductor is inserted through the first extension, the first insert, the second extension, the first wire tie, and the second wire tie to secure the conductor in the housing. 
 
     
     
       12. The snap-on assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a second IC, the second IC comprising a second sensor, 
 wherein the first IC and the second IC generate non-compensated signals. 
 
     
     
       13. The snap-on assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the conductor is a cable, the first extension is a first cylindrical extension, and the second extension is a second cylindrical extension.